Ball Sports

Official American footballs are governed by the NFL and NCAA rulebooks. The pro/college ball (Size 9) features a prolate spheroid shape with a long axis of 11.0–11.25 in (27.9–28.6 cm), long circumference of 27.75–28.5 in (70.5–72.4 cm), short circumference of 20.75–21.25 in (52.7–54.0 cm), weight of 14.0–15.0 oz (397–425 g), and inflation pressure of 12.5–13.5 psi.

Official baseballs are regulated by Major League Baseball (MLB), measuring 9.0–9.25 in (22.9–23.5 cm) in circumference and weighing 5.0–5.25 oz (141.7–148.8 g) with 108 double hand-stitches. Regulation softballs are larger: 12-inch Fastpitch softballs measure 11.875–12.125 in (6.25–7.0 oz), 11-inch Slowpitch softballs measure 10.875–11.125 in (5.875–6.125 oz), and 16-inch Chicago Clincher softballs measure 15.75–16.25 in.

Basketball dimensions and inflation pressures are standardized by FIBA, the NBA, and the NCAA. The official men's ball (Size 7) measures 29.5 in (74.9–78.0 cm) in circumference with a mass of 22 oz (567–650 g) and inflation pressure of 7.5–8.5 psi. The official women's ball (Size 6) measures 28.5 in (72.4–73.7 cm) with a mass of 18–20 oz (510–567 g).

Cricket balls are regulated by the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC Law 4) and the International Cricket Council (ICC). A men's match ball must weigh between 5.5 and 5.75 oz (155.9–163.0 g) and have a circumference between 8.81 and 9.00 in (22.4–22.9 cm). Women's balls weigh 4.94–5.31 oz (140.0–151.0 g) with a circumference of 8.25–8.88 in (21.0–22.5 cm).

Conforming golf balls are regulated by the USGA and The R&A under the Rules of Golf Appendix III. A conforming golf ball must have a minimum diameter of 1.680 in (42.67 mm), a maximum weight of 1.620 oz (45.93 g), spherical symmetry, and an initial velocity not exceeding 250 ft/s (76.2 m/s) at 75 °F under standard test conditions.

Official ice hockey pucks are regulated by the National Hockey League (NHL Rule 13) and the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF). A regulation puck is made of vulcanized rubber measuring exactly 3.0 in (7.62 cm) in diameter, 1.0 in (2.54 cm) in thickness, and weighing 5.5–6.0 oz (156–170 g). Game pucks are frozen for several hours prior to gameplay to eliminate surface bounce.

Official pickleballs are governed by USA Pickleball (USAP Equipment Standards Section 2). A tournament pickleball must have a diameter of 2.87–2.97 in (72.9–75.4 mm), a weight of 0.78–0.935 oz (22.1–26.5 g), and between 26 and 40 circular holes. Outdoor balls feature 40 small drilled holes to resist wind deflection, while indoor balls feature 26 larger holes for slower flight on gym floors.

Official rugby balls are prolate spheroids regulated by World Rugby (Law 2) for Rugby Union and the RFL for Rugby League. An adult match ball (Size 5) has a length of 280–300 mm (11.0–11.8 in), long circumference of 740–770 mm (29.1–30.3 in), short circumference of 580–620 mm (22.8–24.4 in), mass of 410–460 g (14.5–16.2 oz), and pressure of 0.67–0.70 bar (9.7–10.2 psi).

Official soccer balls are governed by IFAB Law 2 and FIFA Quality Programme standards. The adult match ball (Size 5) has a circumference of 68.0–70.0 cm (27–28 in), weight of 410–450 g (14–16 oz), and inflation pressure of 0.6–1.1 bar (8.5–15.6 psi). Youth categories use Size 4 (ages 8–12) and Size 3 (under 8), while Futsal uses a low-bounce weighted bladder.

Official table tennis balls are regulated by the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF Handbook Rule 2.3). A tournament match ball has a diameter of 40.0–40.6 mm (designated as 40+ mm), weighs exactly 2.70 g (tolerance 2.67–2.77 g), and is manufactured from celluloid-free non-flammable plastic (ABS/poly-material). It must produce a rebound of 24.0–26.0 cm when dropped from 30.5 cm onto steel.

Tennis balls are regulated by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) under Rule 3, with standard Type 2 pressurized balls having a diameter of 6.54–6.86 cm (2.57–2.70 in), weight of 56.0–59.4 g (1.975–2.095 oz), and a rebound of 135–147 cm (53–58 in) dropped from 2.54 m. Padel balls are governed by the FIP, sharing identical diameter (6.35–6.77 cm) but operating at lower internal pressure (11 psi / 4.6–5.2 kg/cm²) for a slightly slower rebound of 135–145 cm.

Official volleyballs are regulated by the FIVB (Fédération Internationale de Volleyball). Indoor volleyballs have a circumference of 65.0–67.0 cm (25.6–26.4 in), mass of 260–280 g (9.2–9.9 oz), and inflation pressure of 0.30–0.325 kg/cm² (4.26–4.61 psi / 294.3–318.82 hPa). Beach volleyballs share identical circumference and mass but operate at lower pressure of 0.175–0.225 kg/cm² (2.49–3.20 psi).